Q: In Php, what is a main point of the book of Philippians? A: One important point in Philippians is being joyful, for the word "joy" appears 16 times. It is not merely a fair-weather joy that someone has only if everything goes well. It is an "all-weather joy" that is joyful in prison, near-fatal illness, in the face of external opposition, and in triumphs in your personal life. The book of Philippians candidly discusses "thieves of joy". Circumstances should not diminish our joy (Philippians 1:12,15-18). If a fellow believer tells you she is doing pretty good under the circumstances, ask them what are they doing, living under the circumstances. People should not take away our joy, as Philippians 2:2-4,14,21 and Philippians 3:2-7 show. Things, or lack of them, should not take away our joy. Philippians 3:19 and 4:11-12 says our joy should be constant, regardless of what we have. Also, do not think that you will be happier if you have more things. Worries should not take away our joy, but rather drive us to prayer, as Philippians 4:6-7 shows. Discord, even among believers, should not take away our joy, as Philippians 4:2-3 show. As the New Geneva Study Bible p.1873 puts it, "Philippians rings with joy and gratitude for the way God is carrying forward His saving work among the Philippians and for the special bond that exists between Paul and his readers." For a somewhat different view, The NIV Study Bible p.1801 says Paul’s primary purpose was the thank the Philippians. He also wanted to report on his own situation, encourage the Philippians in persecution, remind them of humility and unity, commend Timothy and Epaphroditus, and warn of the Judaizers and libertines.